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Honors for Field Museum, Forest Preserves Partnership

The Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners honored a decades-long partnership between The Field Museum and the Forest Preserves during last month’s board meeting, recognizing an award to the partners last fall from the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD).

Since the early 1990s, The Field Museum has worked with the Forest Preserves to conserve and restore our region’s natural communities and provide programs and resources to connect people to nature through environmental education programs, stewardship activities, community outreach and special events.

Working together, the institutions have educated local youth and encouraged stewardship through the Mighty Acorns and Calumet in My Backyard (CIMBY) programs, shared expertise and support of the Forest Preserves’ long-range Next Century Conservation Plan, and developed a vision and action plan for the future of Beaubien Woods, as well as held many special programs and events to engage people of all ages.

“The Forest Preserves is deeply grateful for support from The Field Museum. Through this partnership, we are able to engage more visitors, learn from the museum’s expertise, and further plans to protect Cook County’s incredible natural lands,” says Arnold Randall, general superintendent for the Forest Preserves.

The IAPD presented the two organizations a “Best of the Best – Partnership” award during its annual Awards Gala in October 2018. The award recognizes outstanding partnerships which have enhanced residents’ quality of life and would not have been achievable without the partnership.